---
title: "Aston Villa: Pete O’Rourke makes Calvin Bassey claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-transfer-rangers-calvin-bassey-claim/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2022-06-05T16:35:46Z"
modified: "2022-06-05T16:35:46Z"
---

# Aston Villa: Pete O’Rourke makes Calvin Bassey claim

**[Aston Villa](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-news/) manager Steven Gerrard will be ‘hoping’ to land [Rangers](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/rangers-fc-news/) defender Calvin Bassey this summer, according to journalist [Pete O’Rourke](https://www.givemesport.com/88016662-aston-villa-gerrard-could-use-past-connections-to-sign-22-y-o-at-villa-park).**

### The Lowdown: Bassey linked with Villa

Villa have already made [four](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/transfers/verein/405/plus/?saison_id=2022&pos=&detailpos=&w_s=) permanent additions this summer. Philippe Coutinho and Robin Olsen have converted their loan spells into full-time moves, while deals for Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos have been completed.

Bassey has also been linked with a move to Villa Park, with [reports](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/aston-villa-closing-in-on-deal-for-rangers-defender-calvin-bassey-0g5p6lqmt) towards the end of May even going as far as suggesting that a transfer was close.

Speculation has cooled following the move for Carlos, but O’Rourke thinks that a deal for the Nigerian defender may still be of interest to Gerrard.

### The Latest: O’Rourke’s comments on Bassey

Speaking to [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/88016662-aston-villa-gerrard-could-use-past-connections-to-sign-22-y-o-at-villa-park), O’Rourke said that the Villa manager will be looking to use ‘his past connections’ with Rangers to ‘swing’ a potential deal for Bassey ‘in his favour’.

The journalist stated: “I think for Rangers, they’ll be definitely trying to keep hold of Bassey, but Gerrard will be hoping his past connections with Bassey can maybe swing the deal in his favour, if Rangers do decide to sell.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=”398332″\]

### The Verdict: Needed?

Described as [‘absolutely sensational’](https://talksport.com/football/1113104/calvin-bassey-rangers-virgil-van-dijk-europa-league-premier-league-transfer/) by Jason Cundy, Bassey can line out as a [centre-back and left-back](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/calvin-bassey/leistungsdaten/spieler/461883) and was a regular at Ibrox this season, making [50](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/calvin-bassey/leistungsdaten/spieler/461883) appearances in total.

Villa will now have [five](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/kader/verein/405) senior centre-backs after signing Carlos, but should Newcastle loanee Matt Targett [seal a permanent move](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/20144105.matt-targett-wants-join-newcastle-permanently-aston-villa/) away from the Midlands, they could be [short at left-back](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/kader/verein/405).

\[freshpress-poll id=”393243″\]

Meanwhile, Ashley Young is [out of contract](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/kader/verein/405) at the end of June, so Bassey could come in as competition for Lucas Digne while providing yet another centre-back option for Gerrard at Villa Park.

***In other news: [‘Incomings…’ – Chief reporter drops what Villa supporters should now ‘expect’ after Olsen move](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-news/villa-transfer-latest-matt-maher-olsen-gerrard-tarkowski/)***